Fishes most states of tide Rock Visited by us
Heavy ground: cod in summer as well as winter.
North Sea · England
Northumberland
From Blyth and the Wansbeck up past Druridge Bay, Creswell and Amble to Low Newton and Dunstanburgh. Heavy-ground rock edges give summer cod as well as winter fish. Plaice, coalfish and pollack take lures and float baits, Blyth Pier gives summer mackerel and dabs, and boats from Amble fish the wrecks and reefs.
8 shore marks · Rules from Northumberland IFCA, checked 18 October 2026
Stay safe on this coast
- Tides. Know the time of high water and your way off before you go out. Marks that fish around high water or on the flood can cut you off.
- Cut-offs. Sandbanks, causeways and headlands flood from behind. After storms, re-walk even a familiar beach in daylight.
- Rock. Watch the sea for 10 minutes before you go down: big waves come in sets. Wet weed is like ice. Never fish rock alone in the dark.
- Lifejacket. Wear a lifejacket (PFD) on rocks, piers and walls, with the crotch strap fastened.
- Emergency. Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Never go in after someone: call, and throw something that floats.
More in Rules and safety.
Rules
Rules in Northumberland
Last checked 18 October 2026Regulator: Northumberland IFCA. Always check its own page before you keep a fish.
- Bass: keep up to 3 a day per angler, from shore or boat, from 1 April to 31 January, each at least 42cm. From 1 February to 31 March every bass goes back. There are no bass nursery areas on the north-east coast.
- Mackerel: the minimum size is 30cm in the North Sea. Up to 10% of a catch of mackerel can be under size in Northumberland.
- Tope: it is illegal to land a rod-caught tope in England (Tope Order 2008). Unhook it in the water and let it go.
- Parts of the Northumberland coast are marine protected areas. Angling is generally allowed, but check NIFCA byelaws for local restrictions.
Rules change, usually each spring. Where a rule says check locally, ask the regulator or harbour office before you fish.
Minimum sizes
Last checked 18 October 2026Regulator: Northumberland IFCA. Always check its own page before you keep a fish.
| Species | Legal minimum |
|---|---|
| Bass | 42cm |
| Cod | 35cm |
| Whiting | 27cm |
| Haddock | 30cm |
| Pollack | 30cm |
| Coalfish (saithe) | 35cm |
| Ling | 63cm |
| Mackerel | 30cm |
| Herring | 20cm |
| Horse mackerel (scad) | 15cm |
| Hake | 27cm |
| Plaice | 27cm |
| Dover sole | 24cm |
Tip of the snout to the end of the tail. Use the strictest figure you know as your own minimum.
Rules change, usually each spring. Where a rule says check locally, ask the regulator or harbour office before you fish.
Local notes
- Seals take hooked fish at Blyth and other marks. Once a fish is at the surface, lift it out quickly, and move on if a seal settles in.
- Some ledges at Dunstanburgh need a scramble and are not for beginners.
Headline fish
The fish that peak on this coast, from the North Sea calendar.
Best September to March
Cod and codling
Season
The north-east rock edges hold cod all year. In the west, wait for the first autumn blow and coloured water.
Species guide: Cod and codling
Best October to January
Whiting
Season
Night tides from October to January. Small baits on three hooks out-fish big ones.
Species guide: Whiting
Best June to September
Pollack
Season
Dusk over kelp. Wind a soft lure slowly; pollack follow and take on the move.
Species guide: Pollack
Best July to October
Coalfish (saithe)
Season
Small 'billet' swarm north-east piers and rocks from summer into autumn. Cumbria gets them in winter.
Species guide: Coalfish (saithe)
Best July to September
Mackerel
Season
Shoals push in on warm, calm summer evenings. Take only what you will eat or freeze for bait.
Species guide: Mackerel
Best June to August
Ballan wrasse
Season
Great sport on Texas-rigged plastics in summer. Fish over kelp at low water.
Species guide: Ballan wrasse
Best October to January
Pouting
Season
Over rough ground after dark. They strip baits meant for cod.
Species guide: Pouting
Best December to February
Rockling
Season
A winter bite on the north-east piers when nothing else is feeding.
Species guide: Rockling
Best November to March
Dab
Season
Winter and early spring on clean sand. Small hooks (size 4–1) catch more.
Species guide: Dab
Best October to March
Flounder
Season
The Mersey, Dee and Tyne are classic. Fish the flood tide with a spoon or beads above a crab bait.
Species guide: Flounder
Best May to August
Plaice
Season
Fish clean sand from spring into summer. Beads and a long, slow-moving bait help.
Species guide: Plaice
Best May to September
Ling
Season
Deep wrecks out of Whitby, Amble and the north-east ports.
Species guide: Ling
Marks
Marks in this region are places we fish. Drive times from your postcode are on the Marks page.
Fishes most states of tide Pier Visited by us
Mackerel off the end from high water to an hour after. Dabs on rag from two hours before high. Seals take hooked fish.
Fishes most states of tide Beach Visited by us
Spring flounder on light rigs. Mixed ground at the river mouth.
Fishes most states of tide Beach Visited by us
Follow the bars out on the ebb and cast where a gully empties into the sea.
Fishes most states of tide Rock Visited by us
Rough ground. In a northerly, tuck in behind Seal Island.
Fishes most states of tide Rock Visited by us
Low-water rock mark with deep kelp close in. Long pulley rigs, rotten bottom.
Fishes most states of tide Rock Visited by us
Dawn mackerel and coalfish 20 to 30 yards out on 40g metals. Snaggy. Some ledges need a scramble: not for beginners.
Fishes most states of tide Harbour Visited by us
Charter boats fish wrecks and reefs from here.
Crabbing on this coast: family spots, and the crab and lobster rules for every regulator, are on Crabbing.
Local tackle and bait shops, charter boats and clubs: we're building these lists. Run one? Add it free.
Before you go
- Tide times for the nearest port: EasyTide (UK Hydrographic Office).
- Wind and sea state: Met Office inshore waters forecast.
- Access to piers, harbours and ports changes. Check with the owner or harbour office before your first visit.